Asamoah Gyan welcomes John Obi Mikel to Al-Ain

Gyan, currently enjoying an end-of-season break in Ghana, was asked on Accra’s Metro TV this week about the prospect of teaming up with Mikel at Al Ain. The striker, who has become the UAE league’s most prolific forward since joining the club from Sunderland in 2011, was quoted as describing the transfer as “great news”.

“I heard it this week that he has agreed terms with Al Ain and will most definitely be playing for us next season,” Gyan said. “It’s great news for us because Mikel Obi is a very good player and very experienced.”

“It will be exciting playing with him in the same team, because I believe both of us, with the help of our other colleagues, can do more for the club.

However, talk of Mikel’s arrival at Al Ain seems premature, with sources at the Garden City side denying formal negotiations have taken place. Mikel is said to be seeking a move away from Chelsea in a bid to guarantee first-team football, while the English Premier League champions are thought to be open to offers. It is understood, though, that Al Ain have not made an official approach for the midfielder. In the past month, Mikel has also been linked with Al Wahda.